of life.
Rinsing off his dishes, he headed downstairs and into the garage. He glanced to the side where he saw Samantha’s truck. Finding Jason, he jerked his head toward the vehicle. “Is the truck running?”
“Yeah, Troy got it going.”
“Is it just running or is it reliable?”
Jason’s brows lifted. “What’s your interest in Sam’s truck? Has she decided to sell it to you?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Fuck, I wouldn’t have that piece of junk. Why doesn’t she get rid of it?”
“I don’t know. She said one time she kept it for sentimental reasons.”
“Let me know when it’s ready. I’ll tow it out to the clinic so she won’t have to try to make arrangements to come get it.”
Jason’s brows lifted again, but he just shook his head and smiled. If Jason thought his request was strange, he didn’t react. That was another reason they were good friends. Jason took him as he came, not questioning his every move. Not wanting to open himself up for the rare question that might come, he turned and hustled back into the shop.
That afternoon, he hooked up her truck and rolled out of Baytown, heading to the vet clinic. He turned off the main highway and rumbled down the lane. Looking ahead, he saw the large wooden sign. Hoofs and Paws Veterinary Clinic. He hadn’t paid attention to it the previous day when every fiber of his being was pinpointed on the woman sitting in the truck cab next to him. One side of the sign was a carved relief of a goat, dog, cat, and what looked strangely like a llama. He shook his head and his lips twitched upward.
The one-story brick clinic filled his view, and a glance gave evidence to the number of cars in the parking lot. Uncertain where to leave her truck, he pulled to the side of the building. Climbing down from the tow truck, he walked around to the back and began offloading her vehicle.
“You brought my truck back?”
The voice behind him was barely heard over the roar of the tow truck, and he looked over his shoulder… and down. Samantha was right behind him, her gaze darting between him and her vehicle, a crease settling between her brows. Today, she wore a white lab coat and blue scrubs, her name embroidered over the right breast pocket. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail but several wispy strands had escaped and now blew in the breeze. Her fresh-faced beauty and curves offered a siren’s call to him, but he was glad his sunglasses hid his perusal. Her dark, sharp eyes held a hint of fatigue, and he wondered how much rest she had gotten.
He simply nodded since the answer to her question was obvious and turned back to the task at hand.
“Why did you bring my truck back? I was going to get a ride into Baytown this afternoon to pick it up.”
“Now you don’t have to.”
“I can see that. But I haven’t even paid Jason for the work. Do I pay you?”
“Nah. You can pay Jason the next time you’re in town.” Her truck settled to the ground and he moved forward, then knelt underneath the front to unhook the chains. Once accomplished, he stood and placed the chains back onto the tow truck, assuming she had gone back into the clinic.
“Joseph!”
His name burst sharply from her lips, and he turned, tilting his head to the side as he observed her. A scowl crossed her face, and it surprised him that no matter what expression she wore, he was entranced. That thought caused a scowl to cross his own face as he jerked off his gloves, slapping the dust against his thighs. Not saying anything, he waited.
She opened her mouth then snapped it shut, her expression now morphing into confusion. She shifted her gaze from him back to her truck again, and her stance relaxed as it appeared resignation settled over her. “Thank you for bringing my truck back. I’m sorry I snapped. I wasn’t expecting this, but it was nice of you to bring it all the way out here.”
He didn’t want her to apologize but wanted her to keep talking. Uncertain how to accomplish that feat, he inclined his head toward the sign by the clinic. “Llamas?”
She blinked, jerking slightly, her gaze darting between him and the sign and back again. “Excuse me?”
“You treat llamas around here?”
Sucking in her lips, she appeared to fight a grin. The wariness had fled and her